A writhing paradox of squeamishness and self -regard, Kenneth Williams was one of the UK ‘s most bankable comic actors in the 1960s. Having cut his teeth in theatre, he quickly established himself as a radio hit on ‘Hancock’s Half Hpur’, playing camp oddballs, to the chagrin of titular star Tony Hancock. This drama, directedContinue reading “TV Film Review: Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa!”
Tag Archives: Comedy drama
Film Review: Good Luck To You, Leo Grande
Sex is a dance that’s best when it’s improvised. That is seemingly the subtext to ‘Good Luck To You, Leo Grande’. Written by comic actor Katy Brand and directed by Sophie Hyde, it’s a refreshingly honest look at age gap sex. Thankfully the candour means there are no traditional romcom tropes, nor “feeling to healing”Continue reading “Film Review: Good Luck To You, Leo Grande”
Film Review: A Real Pain
Jesse Eisenberg has often beautifully portrayed assholes (The Squid and the Whale, The Double, The Social Network) so it’s lovely to see him playing against type here, as well as writing and directing the film. It’s seriously impressive. He portrays uptight, neurotic but still empathic David Kaplan, a family man, who is thrown together withContinue reading “Film Review: A Real Pain”
Film Review: The Favourite
Ooh, Yorgos Lanthimos and your batshit, genre -defying film oeuvre. Part Peter Greenaway, part Blackadder, The Favourite is another bonkers example of why his work resonates with so many people. Olivia Coleman is Queen Anne, the bratty, capricious monarch whose devotion only extends as far as her collection of rabbits. People mostly deserve contempt, andContinue reading “Film Review: The Favourite”
TV Review: Video Nasty
This dark comedy drama series arrives at an interesting time, in the wake of eighties nostalgia franchises like ‘Stranger Things’ and more recently Tim Burton’s underwhelming sequel, ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’. Written by Hugh Travers and directed by Christopher Smith and Megan K Fox, it’s steeped in the pop culture of that decade, right down to MaryContinue reading “TV Review: Video Nasty”
Film Review: The Party
In suburbia, it seems, everyone can hear you scream. Sally Potter’s 2018 film makes ‘Abigail ‘s Party’ look like ‘The Teletubbies’. It’s brutal. Janet (Kristin Scott Thomas) has been appointed shadow minister for an unnamed political party (I think we’re fully aware which one, though) and is throwing a dinner party. Add her guests, rowingContinue reading “Film Review: The Party”
Overlooked Classics: How Do You Want Me?
When is a sitcom not a sitcom? When it’s a comedy drama. How Do You Want Me? (1998-9) written by Simon Nye, is a sad, droll slice of life programme that seems to have been forgotten about, in spite of the wonderful cast and writing. Dylan Moran is Ian, an Irish comic who’s left LondonContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: How Do You Want Me?”
Overlooked Classics: Trees Lounge
Steve Buscemi’s directorial debut from 1996 (which he also wrote) remains something of a cult film, often forgotten. I’m never really sure why, I think it’s rather brilliant. It’s got the toughness of Bukowski; the low-key observations of Carver, and dry humour of Jarmusch. Buscemi plays Tommy, a man who has lost his ex, TheresaContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Trees Lounge”
Frankenweenie(1984)
In many ways, the original short film version of Frankenweenie is a sharp satire on horror cinema and its tropes: after all, Shelley Duvall plays the Mom, which foreshadows the macabre undertow (isn’t she the archetypal horror film Mom as resilient Wendy Torrance in The Shining?) Written by Lenny Ripps and directed by a youngContinue reading “Frankenweenie(1984)”
Hit The North 